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Skins sues UCI over doping incompetence

STEINHAUSEN, Switzerland (BRAIN) — Australia-based clothing maker Skins announced Monday that it was suing the world cycling body UCI. The press release did not say where the suit would be filed. Skins did not sponsor Lance Armstrong.

The company said it would seek $2 million in damages as a result of the UCI's mismanagement of the Armstrong doping scandal.

"I am acting in order to send a message to the UCI and its senior office bearers that gross mis-management and betrayal of trust is completely unacceptable," Skins chainrman Jaimie Fuller said.

For more than 5 years, Skins has been a proud supporter of world cycling and has partnered with teams, riders and international cycling organisations across the world. As a company we have invested heavily into research and development to build a sports-specific product range aimed at those who participate at every level. We did all this while under the impression that cycling had been fundamentally reformed after the Festina affair in the '90's and that co-ordinated management from the UCI to contain doping activity had minimised the risks and scandals with which the brand of any sponsor would be associated.

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Consequently, it is now clear that Skins' financial and emotional investment into cycling has been damaged and our legitimate commercial expectations have been betrayed. If the public no longer have confidence that cycling is 'clean' they may question those who support its existence.